Agressive Gourami

[LadyP]

Our Gourami has become agressive to some new Rosy Barbs we have added to our fish family. We are relative new to the aquarium world and have asked the advice from our local store. They assured us these fish would be compatible. We were also told to add a bubbler to the tank. We have a 29 gal tank. However, I read online tonight that gouramis don't like turbulance and the bubbler certainly does not make for a quiet tank. Our total fish count is 8 now and we have the following: 1 Tiger Barb, 1 Angel, 1 Bala Shark, 1 Rainbow Shark, 3 Rosy Barbs (1 original and 2 new) and our Gourami. Before adding the 2 today, all were getting along swimmingly well! We want to keep our new family happy and we are concerned over this new behavior. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks! LadyP

 

[Mr Miagi]

Hi LadyP! Welcome to the boards!

Your gourami sounds a little nasty. So what is your tank like? Is it planted? Has it got areas too which fish can go for protection? Gouramis realy appreciate live plnats, and adding some floating plants to your aquarium can reduce aggressive behaviour.

If the problem persits, he could be a problem, so return him to your lfs. Goodluck, hope i helped!

 

[fishdude13]

Hey LadyP! When I started with tropical fish I had a gourami as well. They do get rather aggressive towards other fish but it is what they do when they feel their territory is being "invaded". There is a way to overcome this problem and that is to get a gourami of same species but opposite gender and of larger size. What kind of gourami is it (golden and blue/three-spot are more aggressive species)? Otherwise your tank sounds great and I hope it all goes well!

 

[TeKnoLord]

barbs even though supposedto be community fish, can also be aggressive so i been told, i have a gourami that is a bit aggrressive too, but as the other person said live plants seem to help as long as he isn't bothered..... i have 2 males, 1 seems to have grown alot compared to the other in the almost 2 months i have had them, the arger one seems to be the agressive one, i have only a 20 us gallon tank, cause of my disability enoug work climbing up and down stool to change water, etc, but soon as i get a special gr avol vacum, that can connect to the tap i want t o get atleast a 50 gallon tank, and one 10 gallon for breeding my bettas, and othe fish to put the fry in, i am 3'8" tall that is why ned step stool to access tank

 

[OohFeeshy]

Off topic, but bala sharks get up to 10 inches or more. So it'll need a new home at some point Anyways, maybe you could isolate the gourami in a breeder net for now if its doing damage to the barbs.

 

[Mr Miagi]

Off topic, but bala sharks get up to 10 inches or more. So it'll need a new home at some point Anyways, maybe you could isolate the gourami in a breeder net for now if its doing damage to the barbs.

Well, that a good idea, but it was 17days ago! Someones been post digging......

 

[GSD]

ask your LFS if theyb will take the gourami back